Rooney, Van Persie and Mata start for United

ESPN staff

February 1, 2014

Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie and Juan Mata all start for Manchester United against Stoke at the Britannia Stadium.

Van Persie retains his place in the starting line-up after scoring on his return from injury in the 2-0 win over Cardiff, while Rooney is in from the beginning following his stint from the substitutes' bench on Tuesday.

David Moyes has only been able to field Van Persie and Rooney together in eight out of United's 36 games in all competitions this season. United have won six and drawn two of those matches.

Michael Carrick also starts in midfield, having limped off with an ankle injury in United's penalty shoot-out defeat to Sunderland in the Capital One Cup.